Pinchcock



y 1962 s. GORMAN 3,043,553

PINCHCOCK Filed July 14, 1959 Shiloh German 1N VEN TOR.

United States Patent 3,043,553 PINCHCOCK Shiloh German, 803 W. 16th St., Big Spring, Tex. Filed July 14, 1959, Ser. No. 827,120 1 Claim. (Cl. 251-) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in pinchcocks and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, novel mean for shutting ofi the flow of water when sprinkling a lawn, for example, at any desired intermediate point in a garden hose, thus permitting the sprinkler to be shifted without danger of turning same over and obviating the necessity for walking to the usual sill cock or other control point.

Another very important object of the present invention is to provide a pinchcock comprising novel means for locking the device in closed position.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide a pinchcock of the aforementioned character which is formed from a single piece of suitable resilient metal.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pinchcock of the character described which is foot operated and which, further, will damage the hose in no way.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a'pinchcock which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, of light weight and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing a pinchcock constructed in accordance with the present invention in use;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the device per se;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view, showing the device with a garden hose therein; and

FIGURE 4 is a longitudinal sectional view, taken substantially on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a generally U-shaped clamp of suitable resilient metal which is designated generally by reference character 5. The clamp 5 includes a swingable or movable upper jaw 6 and a stationary lower jaw 7. The jaws 6 and 7 are connected by a laterally enlarged or widened bight portion 8 having therein an opening 9 for the passage. of a hose, as indicated at 10. v

The lower jaw 7 terminates in an enlarged, triangular free end portion 11. The lower jaw 7 and the enlarged free end portion 11 thereof are flat and constitute what may be considered a base 12 for the clamp 5. The upper jaw 6 is arcuate and terminates in a flat, enlarged free end portion providing a treadle or foot piece 13 located above the triangular end portion 11 of the lower jaw 7.

The upper jaw 6 is operable between a pair of vertical guides 14 and 15 which are integral with the longitudinal edges of the lower jaw 7 immediately adjacent the enlarged end portion 11 thereof. Formed integrally with the rear of the guide 15 is an inwardly bent, fixed segmental ratchet or the like 16. The upper jaw 6 is laterally biased to normally engage the ratchet 16 to be retained thereby.

It is thought that the use of the device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, with the upper jaw 6 in open position as shown in FIG- URE 2 of the drawing, the hose 10 is inserted through the opening 9 and between said jaw 6 and the lower jaw 7. To pinch and close the hose 10, thus shutting off the flow of water to the sprinkler 17, the user presses the resilient upper jaw 6 downwardly by simply placing a foot on the treadle or foot piece 13 thereof. In this manner the resilient, laterally biased upper jaw 6 is engaged in the lower notch 18 of the inwardly laterally facing ratchet 16, as shown in FIGURE 4 of the drawing. The sprinkler 17 may then be shifted as desired without the necessity of walking to the sill cock 19 on the intake end of the hose 10. The enlarged, triangular portion 11 of the base 12 provides lateral stability. Of course, to release the hose 10 the foregoing procedure is substantially reversed.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

A pinchcock comprising: a generally U-shaped clamp including a laterally enlarged bight portion having an opening therein for the passage of a hose, said clamp further including a stationary lower jaw, a pair of spaced, opposed, upstanding guides integral with an intermediate portion of the lower jaw, said' lower jaw being flat and comprising an enlarged, substantially triangular free end portion providing a base for the clamp, said clamp still further including an 'arcuate, vertically swingable, resilient upper jaw operable between the guides, said lower and upper jaws for receiving and pinching the hose therebetween, said upper jaw including an enlarged free end portion located above said triangular free end portion of the lower jaw and providing a foot treadle for closing said upper jaw on the hose, and a fixed, vertical, inwardly laterally facing segmental ratchet on one of the guides for securing the upper jaw in closed position, said upper jaw being laterally biased and yieldingly engaged with said ratchet for retention thereby.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Bomber Feb. 25, 1936 

